Sound On
H O M E ≠ H•O•M•E
H O M E ≠ H•O•M•E is an automated fictional living room exploring the fine line between loneliness and solitude. Drawing from Zen Buddhist idea of "be a home for yourself," the work invites viewers to engage with these shifting emotional states through dynamic interactions of space, sound, and automated movement.
The installation integrates Wan-Yi’s experience as a latchkey child from the age of six with spatial elements drawn from contemplative architecture, creating shifting states within the space that invite viewers to move through and reflect on home, belonging, and inner connection.
The title itself encapsulates this dynamic: the expansive "H O M E" versus the fragmented "H•O•M•E." Both loneliness and solitude emerge from being alone, yet their experiences differ depending on how we engage with aloneness. The "partially finished" interior mirrors these emotional gaps—solitude invites contemplation, while loneliness amplifies absence.
The spatial design incorporates geometry, verticality, and horizontal planes to create a sense of grounding and presence. Just as Zen Buddhism regards the breath as an anchor of awareness in the body, these elements anchor the viewer, shaping an embodied experience. Rather than merely defining space, they transform it into a site of contemplation.
A commissioned instrumental rendition of a well-known Taiwanese folk song plays only during the loneliness state, offering a poignant and universally resonant emotional layer. As the space transitions from the narrative of a child coming home alone and eating alone, the signs of loneliness fade, and the atmosphere shifts into solitude, inviting quiet contemplation and connections with the inner experience.
By combining automated movement with narrative and spatial design, the installation reimagines "home" as a psychological state rather than a fixed place. H O M E ≠ H•O•M•E is a meditation, revealing how solitude and loneliness can emerge and shift within the same space, shaped by our awareness and perception.
Installation Framework and Credits follow below.
Installation Framework
Automation Cycle:
On: 170 seconds (including music: 100 seconds)
Off: 150 seconds
Conceptual Framework:
Zen Buddhism suggests the practice of using breath to bring attention back to the body, making it a home. This project explores how spatial experience can similarly anchor awareness in the body. The installation draws from contemplative architectural elements—geometry, verticality, and horizontal planes—to shape the viewer’s embodied experience.
Key elements include:
Vertical columns of varying heights and widths to create a sense of depth.
A large chandelier, inspired by contemplative interior furnishings.
Delicate, translucent materials to evoke a sense of transcendence.
Perspective line drawings on the walls to extend space beyond its physical boundaries, fostering a sense of expansion.
A partially finished interior to invite contemplation, leaving room for personal interpretation and reflection.
Neutral-toned MDF for a fictional environment. Its monochrome surface captures light and shadow, highlighting an element often seen in contemplative spaces.
The automation that activates the environment reflects Wan-Yi’s narrative of returning home as a latchkey child. The chandelier’s rotation, which requires ample space, symbolizes the vast emptiness that once surrounded the child. The use of the double bass conveys the profound emotional resonance of loneliness before the child learns to transform it into solitude.
Adaptability:
All installation components are stand-alone and adaptable to different spaces. They can be disassembled for transportation. Wall line drawings will be developed and customized in response to site conditions and available surfaces.
Credits
Musician | Double Bassist: Emillie Kuo 郭馥玫
Instrumental Music: Longing for Your Return (望你早歸), a poignant Taiwanese folk song written during WWII, reflecting the longing of families separated by war.
Automation Design and Controls: Wan-Yi Lin with the assistance of ChatGPT
Mechanical Design and Advanced Woodworking: Roger Chen
Videography and Editing: Roger Chen
Funding: Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council